Just because you are stuck on the surface of the Earth does not mean you cannot visit the moon, at least virtually.
Daniella Roosa, granddaughter of Stuart Roosa, who landed on the moon as part of the Apollo 14 mission, created a new immersive lunar-theme experience that opened last Thursday in Dallas. Known as Lunar Light, it is the first creation to emerge from Daniella’s company, Back to Space, which aims to redefine “the boundaries of mixed-reality immersive experiences by blending real-world interactions with state-of-the-art virtual reality,” according to its website.
The exhibit costs between $50 and $55 to enter and can be found in a collection of shipping containers outside the old Valley View Mall. Daniella said she was inspired to create Back to Space to help teach others about the world beyond our planet.
“I just thought that everyone’s grandfather was an astronaut. … Then, as I got older, I realized that’s not normal. You don’t talk about re-entry at the dinner table,” Roosa said, per WFAA.
Visitors must don a virtual headset to experience the mission. Once inside, they are transported to the moon in the year 2055. An asteroid has just struck the moon, and it is your responsibility, along with your teammates, to save the lunar base.
“This is exactly what Back to Space is all about. Making people feeling immersed and included in space exploration,” stated Daniella.
Virtual reality is not the only way to experience the moon. Dallas is one of the lucky U.S. cities that sits in the path of totality for the upcoming total lunar eclipse. In fact, it is such a prime location that multiple airlines are using the city as a departure hub for specialized eclipse-viewing flights, as reported last month by The Dallas Express.